Modern Perspectives in Root Canal Obturation

Successful root canal treatment is based on diagnosis, treatment planning, knowledge of tooth anatomy, and the traditional concepts of debridement, sterilization, and obturation. Several obturation techniques are available for root canal treatment. The choice depends on the canal anatomy and the unique objectives of treatment in each case. The two basic obturation procedures are lateral condensation and warm vertical condensation. The advent of new devices and techniques, such as those that utilize heat and vibration for warm lateral and warm vertical condensation, are revolutionizing the practice of endodontics and making obturation procedures more predictable. Introduction Successful root canal treatment is based on diagnosis, treatment planning, knowledge of tooth anatomy, and the traditional concepts of debridement, sterilization, and obturation.1 Adequate access and a straight-line path to the canal system allow complete irrigation, shaping, cleaning, and quality obturation.2 Root canal treatment can be predictably successful with careful cleaning and shaping of the canal system, three-dimensional obturation, and a well-fitting coronal restoration.3 (Figure 1) Regardless of the obturation method, emphasis has to be placed on the process of cleaning and shaping the root canal,4 without which obturation will not be effective. Factors influencing the timing of canal obturation are the patient’s signs and symptoms, the pulp and periradicular status, the degree of case difficulty, and patient management.